Date Night Perfected

A place for adults

Dinner and a movie is a classic combination for a reason. If you're in the mood to enjoy your entertainment and treats without a lot of little ankle-biters running around, check out Brewvies—a movie theater for the grown-ups set with a full pub license serving up beer, cocktails and delicious pub standbys like fish and chips, pizza and ribs while viewers enjoy the newest blockbuster, cult classic, cinema masterpiece or newest episode of the coolest cable show.

"I've had a long love affair with Brewvies," says general manager Marty Rasmussen. Brewvies is "strictly for the big kids, meaning adults. If you want to avoid the theaters with screaming kids, this is the place; if you want actual food that is freshly prepared, this is the place."

When Rasmussen first moved to Logan from California, he found very little to do for entertainment. A buddy mentioned Brewvies, so Rasmussen made the trip down to Salt Lake City one weekend. "I was hooked," he says.

Rasmussen eventually transfered to Utah Valley University and took the Utah Entrepreneurial Challenge in 2004. He placed in the top 10 with a business plan based on Brewvies that he called "Cinema Bistro." He wasn't able to open Cinema Bistro, but the owners of Brewvies found his business plan and offered him the job of general manager.

If you do decide to give Brewvies a try, just be aware that you might get as hooked as Rasmussen did all those years ago. "I'm pretty obsessed with their nachos," says Salt Lake City resident Hailey Archer. She recommends adding pork and guacamole.

If you have been there but it's been a while, you should definitely give it another go. The theater has upgraded its film projector system to digital and refurbished the seating in the last few years. Regular customer Nick Mathews is also a big fan. "It's a comfy, casual venue where I can sit back, enjoy a flick and down some suds," he says.

Brewvies was also recently in the news for its battle with Utah's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control over a screening of Ryan Reynolds' anti-superhero vehicle, Deadpool. State law prohibits beer or alcohol being served while nudity is being shown, and the DABC threatened the owners with a hefty fine and 10-day liquor-license suspension. Brewvies responded by suing the DABC in federal court. While they're in the clear for now, the issue is far from over. "Brewvies will continue to fight for our First Amendment rights," Rasmussen says. "Hopefully, we will be successful in getting the law changed." Check out their website for information on how you can donate to Brewvies' legal fees—or at the very least, the upcoming free-movie night next Monday.